The school hosted Future Moves, a program School Outreach Officer Alison Charters said raises aspirations and awareness in children for further education.

Ms Charters said the workshops at Dubbo West Public taught the students about the different types of careers available to them after school, beyond well-known vocations like hairdressing and retail assistance.

During the workshops, which are part of the Higher Education Participation Scheme, the students were given the opportunity to dress up as different workers before holding a mock graduation ceremony.

“We get to play and if we’re playing the kids get to have fun with us,” Ms Charters said.

The program is delivered to 33 schools in the area to students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Ms Charter said Future Moves isn’t about promoting Charles Sturt University but any form of tertiary education, be it at CSU, a different university, or even TAFE. 

Along with the school visits, Future Moves also involves on campus activities like ‘Check It Out Day’, where students attend the university and go to specialised lectures by the faculty. 

Ms Charters said Future Moves also holds a program that allows Year 11 students to shadow a university student for a day to get a taste of university life.

Dubbo West Public Principal Eileen Day said the Future Moves workshops assist with developing a want for the students to continue their education.